Harness for quick attachable chest packs



Sept. 10, 1935. s. SWlTLIK 2,014,344

HARNESS FOR QUICK ATTACHABLE CHEST PACKS Filed Dec. 7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

314124, SWiI/ik ATTORNEY.

p 1935- v s. SWlTLlK 2,014,344

HARNESS FOR QUICK ATTACHABLE CHEST PACKS Filed Dec. 7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 10, 1935. s. SWITLIK HARNESS FOR QUICK A 'ITACHABLE CHEST PACKS Filed Dec. '7, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 52mg smilzk ATTORNEY.

Sept. 10, 1935. s. SWITLIK HARNESS FOR QUICK ATTACHABLE CHEST PACKS Filed Dec." I934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 d zzkyi w'izil was;

Patented Sept. 10, 1935 HARNESS FOR QUICK ATTACHABLE CHEST PACKS Stanley Switlik, Trenton, N. J.

Application December 7, 1934, Serial No. 756,452

22 Claims.

The invention relates to a quick attachable harness for parachute packs. Previously harness has been aflixed or attachable to the packs, so arranged that at the time of the parachute opening, the short lift webs leading from the shoulders into the pack adjacent the body of the wearer moved upward past the face of the jumper and over the head, oftentimes injuring the face of the parachute jumper. This kind of equipment was known as the floating chest type.

Experiments conducted and directed by applicant were carried on for the purpose of finding some means to prevent the pack and webs from floating. Back in the early part of Y193? applicant was successful in developing a pack and harness wherein its pack is technically of the non-floating type, and the pack held fast to the harness after having made connections between the pack and harness, the point of suspension being lowered from the shoulders to a point above the center of gravity of the body and below the shoulders. This character of harness and pack was later adopted by the United States Navy, and a small quantity was ordered and test reports since and to date have been highly satisfactory.

The fact is the purpose of this invention is to provide a new type of harness with means to affor quick connections to a pack, wherein the point of suspension is at a point lowered from the shoulders to a point above the center of gravity and below the shoulders. This new development in harness, due to its highly satisfactory service has been found very desirable, because the one type of harness can be used interchangeably with seat, chest, and back parachute packs, the

compound point of suspension being above the' center of gravity and below the shoulders allows the parachute jumper to control the parachute with greater efflciency because of the lift webs being directly in front of the body and not overhead. I

Furthermore the method of suspension between the connections and the lines of the parachute is the same as in all standard parachutes; that is a web is'used on each connection, the

closed end connected to the harness, each one of the open ends connected to one quarter of the shroud lines of the parachute maintaining this feature and also insuring the steerability of the parachute.

' Let it be assumed up to the present time or at,

least up to the time of the recent development, that the shock load in opening has been applied to the lift webs which terminated at the shoulders and carried the load throughout the harness from that point. However, another purpose of the invention is to provide a quick attachable harness, wherein since this recent development it has been proven that by changing the load applica- 5 tion to a point above the center of gravity of the body and below the shoulders in front of the body, it materially reduces the shock load and applies the load far more evenly throughout the body from this point.

Still another purpose is to provide, in a quick attachable harness in combination with either a seat, chest, or back parachute pack, a construction that is self-adjustable at the time of the load application 1. e., the load being applied at the compound point of suspension carries the shock to the main swing, shoulder webs and pack webs, because there is a continuous webbing around the body, and therefore makes the reaction of the load all over the body and not on the shoulders.

A further purpose is to provide a quick attachable harness pack, wherein the type of hookup enables the wearer to easily handle the lift webs, as stated above, and in addition the connectible feature can be easily disconnected with as little effort as when it was first connected. This is a feature primarily necessary for water landing, and for high winds, whereby ones self may easily become free from the parachute and prevent being drowned or injured.

A still further purpose is to provide a quick attachable harness wherein the tie-up between the two quick attachable D rings of the pack is such, that if only one were connected the parachute would function satisfactorily and save the jumperslife.

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitative, and "that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modification of details and proportions may be made in the construction of the appliance according to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts to be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed:

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a front view in perspective showing the improved quick attachable harness and parachute pack applied.

Figure 2 is a back view of a figure illustrating the improved harness as applied in perspective.

Figure 3 is a side view of a figure showing the improved quick attachable harness and parachute pack as applied in perspective, the pack-having been opened and the parachute having taken the air.

Figure .4 is a view in perspective showing the jumper in sitting posture in the swing of the harness, the parchute having taken the air and illustrating the lift webs just in front of the jumper in order thatthe several series of shroud cords from the parachute may be manipulated, rendering the parachute steerable.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of certain webs of the harness in front, not only illustrating the snap hooks for rendering the pack quickly attachable to the harness and vice versa, but also showing sliding members on the webs and illustrating a snap hook and D ring connection between said slidable members.

Figure 6 is an edge view of certain of the webbing at the right hand side of the harness;

, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the pack tray with lift webs and D rings thereon.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the entire harness, showing the figure of the wearer in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawings it is to be noted that the major portion of the harness comprises a single webbing which makes up the swing of the harness as well as providing for the front and back webs'which pass over the shoulders. This single piece of webbing I, it might be said, starts at 2 passing through the adapter 3 substantially diagonally across the seat of the wearer and through an adapter I, back through the adapter 3, through an elongated opening 5 of a snap hook 6, up the back of the wearer at I and over one of the shoulders at 8 through an elongated opening 9 at one end of a snap hook III, through a wrapper H, and down under the seat and adjacent a portion of the side of the wearer, up the front on the left hand side of the wearer and then over the left hand shoulder at I2 down the back, through the adapter I3 under the seat of the wearer as shown in Figure 2 and then through an adapter I4 at the left hand side as shown in Figure 2 and back through the adapter I3 ending at I5.

While this webbing I constitutes the greater portion of the seat swing and the shoulder engaging elements, there is still another webbing I5 that constitutes a substantial part of the swing of the harness. 1

The adapter I4 through which the webbing I at the left in Figure 2 passes, is carried by a wrapper I1 similar to the wrapper II. This webbing I where it passes through the wrapper I'I passes through at I8 an elongated opening IQ of a snap hook 20. This other webbing I6 starts at 2| at the left of the wearer, passes through the elongated opening lil of the snap hook 20 forminga loop therein and its two portions of the webbing pass downwardly together and under the seat thereby forming another portion of the swing. The two portions after passing under the seat thereby forming another portion of the swing of the harness, pass upward on the right-and engage the elongated opening 3 of the snap hook I0. Where engaging the elongated opening 9 the web is in the form of a loop .passing downwardly through the wrapper-I I, the webbing I6 ending on the right of the harness. Where this webing I6 is double just below the wrappers I I and H, the main web I engages between the double portions of the web IS. The main web I has a sliding connection between the double parts of the web I6 and just below where the main web I passes between the double portions of the web I6,

the web I is formed into loops 22, said loops engaging D rings 23 which in turn engage a snap hook 24. Other webs 21 are provided, one end of one of the webs 21 engages an elongated opening of the snap hook 24, while the corresponding 5 end of the other web 21 engages a D ring to. These webs 21 have-their ends fastened at 28 between the double portions of the web .I6 and pass betweenthe legs substantially close to the crotch of the wearenthrough adapters 29, and through 10 the D rings 23 and to, then back through the adapters 29 and end at 33. Slides 3I constructed of any suitable fabric, preferably canvas and folded are mounted upon those portions of themain web I where it passes down from the shoul- 15 ders'in front. The slides 3| have extensions 32, and secured between the two sides of the slides 3| are loops 33 constructed of webbing. One of the loops 33 engages an elongated opening 34 of a snap hook 35 which in turn engages with a 20 D ring 36'which is carried by the other loop 33.

The usual form of parachute pack tray 31 shown at 38 in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 'l is provided and is adapted to carry the usual parachute and shroud cords 40, as well as the lift webs 4 I. When 25 the pack is closed, namely the parachute folded within the tray 31 the lift webs are under the parachute, their loops 42 and extensions of the lift web being fastened at 43 to the bottom of the pack tray and connected by a cross web 44. 30 The loops of the lift webs carry D rings 45, which are designed to engage with the snap hooks III and 20. v

It is obvious that this improved harness with the idea of having the load application above 35 the center of gravity and below the shoulders may be applied to any form or construction of parachute pack, whether it be .a front pack, a back pack or a seat pack.

It is also to be understood that the tray of 40 the pack, as is shown may have a quicklybreakable connection with the lift webs, so that when the parachute opens and takes the air the tray may float away. It may be that the tray of the pack may be made fast to the lift webs, so that 45 after the pack opens and the parachutetakes the air, the tray may be carried by the harness throughout the decension of the jumper.

The center of gravity relative to the wearers body as well as with relation to the point of sus- 5 pension is indicated substantially on the line a-a in Figure 3, approximately where the D rings connect with the snap hooks 20 as disclosed.

The invention having .been set forth, what is claimed is:

1. A parachute harness comprising adapters and a continuous webbing connected to and extending from one of said adapters at the small of the back of the wearer adjacent one of the sidesof the wearer toward the opposite side there- 60 .ofthen back again adjacent the small of the back up the back and over the shoulder at one side of the wearers body down the front and under the rump of the wearer, and upwardly on the other side of the wearers body up the front 55 over the shoulder of the wearer down the back and partially toward the front then back again through the other adapter adjacent the small of the back of the wearer adjacent the opposite side thereof, and then cross the wearers back 70 and having running connection with said web constituting the last named portion which passes up the front of. the wearer and then back to the last named adapter.

2, A parachute harness comprising a continu- 75 ous web, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support for the wearers back, said continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearer's body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the "wearers back and formedinto loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward opposite sides of the wearers body.

3. A parachute harness comprising a one piece continuous web, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support for the wearer's back, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops. having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward opposite sides of the wearers body, and a reinforcing webbing for the swing seat.

4. A parachute harness comprising a one piece continuous web, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of thewearers back acting as a support for the wearers back, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, said first. mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward opposite sides of the wearers body, and straps connectedto the swing seat and to be engaged over the legs of the wearer adjacent the thighs and provided with.

separable snap hook and D ring connections with said loops.

5. A parachute harness comprising a one piece continuous web, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support for the wearers back, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearer's seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into the swing seatand straps connected to the swing Y arable snap hook and D ring connections with said loops.

6. A parachute harness comprising a one piece continuous web, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support for the wearers back, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward opposite sides of the wearers body, and a reinforcing webbing for the swing seat, and straps connected to the swing seat and to be engaged over the legs of the wearer adjacent the thighs and provided with separable snap hook and D ring connections with said loops, and adjustable adapters on the leg engaging straps for lengthening and shortening the same.

7. A parachute harness, comprising a one piece continuous webbing, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small 'of the wearer: back acting as a support therefor, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness,- a separable breast connection uniting those portions of the webbing which pass down the front,

- compound suspension means carried by said portions of the webbing which pass down the front of the wearers body adapted to connect with a parachute pack, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of the second cross- .ing portions, said loops having running engagepassing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, aseparable breast connection uniting those portions of the webbing which pass down the front, compound suspension means car-' ried by said portions of the webbing which pass down the front of the wearers body adapted to connect with a parachute pack, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute @a part of the second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend iown the front toward the opposite side of the wearers body, said running engagement being movable in either direction to prevent excessive movement of those portions passing down the front and thereby retain ing the pack against excessive movement upwardly and insuring the pack remaining substantially immediately above the center of gravity of the wearer's body.

9. A parachute harness, comprising a one piece continuous webbing, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support therefor, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angulariy up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, separable breast connections uniting together those portions of the webbing which pass down the front, lift webs to be carried by a parachute pack, compound separable means on the front portions of the webbing below the breast connection and immediately above the center of gravity and to be connected to said lift webs, whereby the lift webs may position in front of the body allowing manipulation of shroud cords, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward the opposite sides of the wearers body.

'10. A parachute harness, comprising a one piece continuous webbing consisting of portions cross each other adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support therefor, said single piece continuous webbing. having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of ,the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, separable breast connections uniting together those portions of the webbing which pass down the front, lift webs to be carried by a parachute pack, compound separable means on the front portions of the webbing below the breast connection and immediately above the center of gravity and to be connected to said lift webs, whereby the .lift webs may position in front of the body allowing manipulation of shroud cords, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward the opposite sides of the wearers body, said running engagement constructed and arranged and constituting means whereby said portions extending down the front may be drawn taut under the buttocks or seat of the wearer to prevent excessive movement of the lift webs upwardly and retaining them in the front of the body of the wearer for manipulating shroud cords.

- 11. A parachute harness, comprising a one piece continuous webbing, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of the wearer's back acting as a support therefor, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, separable breast connections uniting together those portions of the webbing which pass down-the front, lift webs to be carried by a parachute-pack, compound separable means on 5 cords, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing l5 portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward the opposite sides of the wearers body, said running engagement constructed and arranged and constituting means 20 whereby said .portions extending down the front may be drawn taut under the buttocks or seat of the wearer to prevent excessive movement of the lift webs upwardly and retaining them in the front of the body of the wearer for manipulating 25 shroud cords, said compound suspension means comprising D rings and snap hooks separably connecting the lift webs to the front portions of the harness, whereby upon failure of connecting certain of the D rings and snap hooks the others 30 maintain suspension of the wearers body.

12. A parachute harness comprising a one piece continuous web, consisting of portions crossing each other. adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support for the wearers 35 back, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a 40 swing seat of the harness, those portions of the webbing passing down the front having loops just immediately below the center of gravity, snap hooks for connections with lift webs of a pack adapted to be located closely adjacent thecenter 45 of gravity of the wearers body, whereby the lift webs may be operated for manipulating shroud cords, and wrappers engaged around said loops for reinforcing same, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending 50 into and forming a part of the second crossing portionsat the top of the wearers back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of 5 the strap which extend down the front toward opposite sides of the wearers body.

13. A parachute harness comprising a one piece continuous web, consisting of portions crossing each other adjacent the small of the wearers back acting as a support for the wearers back, said single piece continuous webbing having portions extending angularly .up the back and crossing and passing over the shoulders and down the front toward the sides of the wearers body and under the wearers seat constituting a swing seat of the harness, those portions of the webbing extending along the front of the wearers body having loops, wrappers extending around said loops to reinforce same, the remote ends of those portions of the webbing crossing at the small of the wearer's back having connections with said wrappers, said first mentioned crossing portions at the small of the back extending into and forming a part of the second crossing portions at the top of the wearer's back and formed into loops where they constitute a part of said second crossing portions, said loops having running engagement with those portions of the strap which extend down the front toward opposite sides of the wearers body. I

14. A parachute harness constructed from a web including a' swing seat provided with side portions, a reinforcing web conforming to the swing seat, said reinforcing web having terminal loops at its side portions, a compound suspension means carried by said loops located adjacent to center of gravity of the wearers body and adapted for connection with a parachute pack.

15. A parachute harness constructed from a web including a swing seat provided with side portions, a reinforcing web conforming to said swing seat, said reinforcing web having terminal loops at its side portions, compound inverted suspension means carried by said loops located adjacent to center of gravity of the wearers body and adapted for connection with a parachute pack when the latter is moved upwardly to make the connections.

16. A parachute harness constructed from' a web including a swing seat provided with side portions, a reinforcing web conforming to said swing seat, said reinforcing web having terminal loops at its side portions, compound suspension means comprising snap hooks carried by said loops located adjacent to center of gravity of the wearer's body and adapted for connection with a parachute pack.

17. A parachute harness constructed from a web including a swing seat provided with side portions, a reinforcing web conforming to said swing seat, said reinforcing web having terminal loops at its side portions, compound suspension means comprising snap hooks carried by said loops located adjacent -to center of gravity of the wearer's body and adapted for connection with a parachute pack, said hooks inverted, whereby devices on a parachute pack may be engaged therewith when moving the pack upwardly.

18. A parachute harness constructed from a web including a swing seat provided with side portions, a reinforcing web conforming to said swing seat, said reinforcing web having terminal loops at its side portions, compound suspension means comprising snap hooks carried by said loops located adjacent to center of gravity of the wearer's body and adapted for connection with a parachute pack, said hookshaving openings through which said first named web passes reinforcing said suspension means.

19. A parachute harness constructed from a web including a swing seat provided with side portions, a reinforcing web conforming to said 5 swing seat, said reinforcing web having terminal loops at its side portions, compound suspension means comprising snap hooks carried by said loops located adjacent to center of gravity of the wearers body and adapted for connection with a parachute pack, said hooks having openings through which said first named web passes rein,- forcing said suspension means, and wrappers fastened around said loops thereby additionally reinforcing said suspension means.

20. A parachute harness, comprising a continuous web, consisting of portions passing up the back and over the shoulders and under the wearers seat and formed into a swing seat, the side portions of the swing seat having terminal loops closely adjacent to center of gravity of the wearers body, and compound suspension means car ried by said loops and adapted for separable connections with a parachute pack. I

21. A parachute harness, comprising a continuous web, consisting of portions passing up the back and over the shoulders and under the wearers seat and formed into a swing seat, the side portions of the swing seat having terminal loops closely adjacent to center of gravity ofthe wearersbody, and compound suspension means carried by said loops and adapted for separable connections with a parachute pack, and additional webs at the small of the wearers back certain of the additional webs having operative adapter connections with said loops and including wrappers reinforcing said loops.

22. A parachute harness, comprising a continuous web, consisting of portions passing up the back and over the shoulders and under the wearers 40 seat and formed into a swing seat, the side portions of the swing seat having terminal loops closely adjacent to center of gravity of the wearers body, and compound suspension means carried by said loops and adapted for separable connections with a parachute pack, and additional vwebs at the small of the wearer's back certain ends of the additional webs having operative adapter connections with said loops and including wrappers reinforcing said loops, other portions of said additional webs'having running engagements with the sides of the swing seat.

. STANLEY SWITLIK. 

